Imperial Hotel

Description:

• Location, location, location -- that's the best thing this hotel has going for it. It's located right on Nathan Road between the Sheraton and Holiday Inn and near the MTR station. Otherwise, it doesn't offer much in terms of service, though a slow renovation of rooms is bringing them up to par, adding double-paned windows to cut down on noisy street traffic, duvet-covered beds, LCD TVs, and remodeled bathrooms with showers instead of tubs. Its cheaper rooms face the back of Chungking Mansion, notorious for its cheap and often uninviting rooms, laundry strung everywhere, and garbage piled up below, apparently tossed unconcernedly from the windows above. You won't know this, however, as glazed windows now hide the formerly enlightening view. It's an improvement with a price: Rooms tend to be gloomy and claustrophobic and the cheapest are quite small. If you can, spring for a deluxe room that faces Nathan Road, which tends to be noisier but is brighter and has a city view. Because of its cheap prices, this hotel attracts a mixed international clientele, many of whom look like they wish they were elsewhere. It is a rather grim place, but the location is ideal.

• © Frommer's 2012

Other features:

Special features include Cantonese and American restaurants, complimentary buffet breakfast for the first nights' stay, a hotel doctor, limousine service, tour desk and discounts for families, honeymooners, corporations and senior citizens.